Pope Says It’s OK to Use Condoms to Reduce Risk of HIV/AIDS, Even Outside of Marriage

The Catholic church has always recognized that some sins are greater than others (unlike many evangelical protestants that say otherwise). It also formulated the concept of allowing certain activities to save life, even if the side effect causes harm, while still banning consciously doing harm. For example, intentional abortion is banned, but treatment of the mother for life-threatening illness is allowed, even if the treatment unfortunately harms or kills the unborn child. I see this latest decision as similar in its thinking. Contraception to interfere in the possibility of conception is still seen as disrespectful to God. It was never seen as dire a sin as intentional abortion. So, I think the Pope is saying that protecting life through the use of condoms outweighs the chance it also is contraceptive. He is not lessening his objection to nonmarital sex or gay sex, but h...